Bike Tour of Lake Biwa from Kyoto

After a scenic 40-minute train ride from JR Kyoto station, you will arrive at JR Shiga station.
From here, you will ride electric bicycles at your own pace along the lakeside, admiring the beautiful combination of Lake Biwa, ancient local villages and the Hira mountain range.

Villagers who live around the lake have depended on Lake Biwa as their water source from ancient times. The lake water was used for drinking, washing, bathing and farming. Fish caught in the lake were also a major source of protein. Therefore, people naturally worshiped Lake Biwa, used its water with utmost respect and made sure they did not waste or pollute it. You will get to pass through these local neighborhoods as you slowly pedal forward.

Meeting local farmers and participating in their seasonal activities such as planting or harvesting rice and vegetables offers a great chance to learn about farming life in rural Japan.

For lunch, you will visit a local farming family's traditional Japanese-style home where you can savor delicious local dishes with homegrown fresh vegetables and rice, prepared by you (with a little help)! Menus are changed seasonally. Vegetarian dishes are also available.
You will also have the chance to taste local delicacies such as homemade salted plum or pickles that are completely free from artificial preservatives and utterly delicious.

We hope the warm, touching hospitality you receive will stay with you as one of the fondest memories of your trip to Japan.

After lunch, gently pedal back to JR Shiga Station, enjoying the breeze from the lake and reflecting on the day's events before returning by train to Kyoto with fond memories of a special adventure.